U.S. patent number 10,954,974 [Application Number 15/847,401] was granted by the patent office on 2021-03-23 for actuator assembly with lost motion device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation. Invention is credited to Navaneethakrishnan Pandian.
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United States Patent |
10,954,974 |
Pandian |
March 23, 2021 |
Actuator assembly with lost motion device
Abstract
An actuator assembly includes a housing, a piston rod, and a
lost motion device. The housing defines a housing bore that extends
along a first axis from a first housing end towards a second
housing end. The piston rod is at least partially disposed within
the housing bore. The piston rod defines a piston bore that extends
from a first piston end towards a second piston end along the first
axis. The lost motion device is at least partially disposed within
the housing bore and extends into the piston bore. The lost motion
device and the piston rod are arranged to move relative to the
housing along the first axis.
Inventors: |
Pandian; Navaneethakrishnan
(Karnataka, IN) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation |
Charlotte |
NC |
US |
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Assignee: |
HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
(Charlotte, NC)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005439044 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/847,401 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20190120262 A1 |
Apr 25, 2019 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Oct 20, 2017 [IN] |
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201711037205 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F15B
15/148 (20130101); F01D 25/24 (20130101); F05D
2220/32 (20130101); B64D 29/08 (20130101); F05D
2260/57 (20130101); F05D 2230/72 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F15B
15/14 (20060101); B64D 29/08 (20060101); F01D
25/24 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;92/84 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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456059 |
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Oct 2018 |
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BE |
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434493 |
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Aug 1935 |
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GB |
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101061107 |
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Aug 2011 |
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KR |
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Other References
EP Search Report; EP 18201778; dated Mar. 25, 2019; 7 pages. cited
by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Teka; Abiy
Assistant Examiner: Wiblin; Matthew
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cantor Colburn LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An actuator assembly, comprising: a housing defining a housing
bore that extends along a first axis from a first housing end
towards a second housing end and through only the first housing
end; a piston rod at least partially disposed within the housing
bore, the piston rod defining a piston bore that extends from a
first piston rod end towards a second piston rod end along the
first axis; a first mounting feature formed at the second housing
end and a second mounting feature formed at the second piston rod
end, the first and second mounting features, formed on the first
axis, the first mounting feature formed as an eye or yoke, and the
second mounting feature formed as another eye or yoke; and a lost
motion device at least partially disposed within the housing bore
and extending into the piston bore, the lost motion device and the
piston rod being arranged to move relative to the housing along the
first axis, the lost motion device comprising: a slider having a
head that is disposed within the housing bore, extending between a
first head end and a second head end along the first axis, and a
neck extending from the second head end into the piston bore at the
first piston rod end, wherein the neck is configured to slide
within piston bore along the first axis, wherein a neck diameter of
the neck is less than a piston bore diameter of the piston bore,
the piston bore diameter is less than a head diameter of the head,
so that the head is slidably engaged with the housing bore to slide
along the first axis in the housing bore while the slider slides in
the piston bore, and wherein the slider engages the piston rod
along the first axis via a biasing member disposed within the
piston bore at the first piston rod end, wherein: the head is
provided with a first sealing projection and a second sealing
projection that engage the housing bore, and a hydraulic sealing
groove being defined between the first sealing projection and the
second sealing projection; the neck defines an elongate opening
that is arranged to receive a pin that extends through the first
piston rod end to movably connect the slider to the piston rod, the
pin enabling the slider to move relative to the piston rod at least
until the pin engages an end of the elongate opening; the head
defining a first bearing ring groove that is disposed proximate the
first head end and a second bearing groove that is disposed
proximate the second head end, each of the first bearing ring
groove and the second bearing ring groove being arranged to receive
a seal or a bearing ring; a stop member within the housing bore,
extending from the second housing end to engage the first head end;
and wherein: the biasing member is a spring disposed within the
piston bore, and the biasing member extends between and engages: a
first spring seat that is secured within the piston bore between
the first piston rod end and the second piston rod end; and a
second spring seat that is disposed proximate the first piston rod
end, and the second spring seat engages a neck end of neck of the
slider that is within the piston bore; and a bearing member is
disposed about the first piston rod end, wherein the bearing member
engages the housing bore and the bearing member is between the neck
end of the neck of the slider that is within the piston bore and
another neck end of the neck of the slider that is outside of the
piston bore, and wherein the bearing member is aligned with the pin
and the pin extends at least partially into the bearing member.
2. The actuator assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a sealing
member that is disposed about the piston rod that is engaged with
the housing bore proximate the first housing end.
3. The actuator assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a sealing
member that is disposed about the piston rod and is disposed
proximate the first housing end.
4. The actuator assembly of claim 3, wherein the sealing member is
provided with a flange that abuts a distal end of a flared portion
of the first housing end.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of IN Application No.
201711037205, filed Oct. 20, 2017, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of linear actuators for
opening a gas turbine engine nacelle.
A gas turbine engine is generally provided with a cowl or door that
is movable to allow access to perform maintenance tasks. A ground
service technician may operate an actuator to move the cowl or door
between an open position and a closed position. Relative motion
between the nacelle and a gas turbine engine fan case may impart a
load to the actuator that may affect sealing performance of seals
associated with the actuator.
Accordingly it is desirable to provide a more robust actuator that
is less susceptible to imparted relative motion and loads.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Disclosed is an actuator assembly that includes a housing, a piston
rod, and a lost motion device. The housing defines a housing bore
that extends along a first axis from a first housing end towards a
second housing end. The piston rod is at least partially disposed
within the housing bore. The piston rod defines a piston bore that
extends from a first piston end towards a second piston end along
the first axis. The lost motion device is at least partially
disposed within the housing bore and extends into the piston bore.
The lost motion device and the piston rod are arranged to move
relative to the housing along the first axis.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the
lost motion device includes a slider having a head that is slidably
engaged with housing bore and is disposed proximate the second
housing end and a neck extending from the head and into the piston
bore.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the
slider is slidably connected to the piston rod proximate the first
piston end.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the
lost motion device includes a biasing member that is disposed
within the piston bore.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the
biasing member engages a first spring seat that is secured within
the piston bore between the first piston end and the second piston
end and engages a second spring seat that is disposed proximate the
first piston end.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the
second spring seat engages an end of the neck.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a
bearing member is disposed about the first piston end and engages
the housing bore.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a
sealing member is disposed about the piston rod and is engaged with
the housing bore proximate the first housing end.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the
second piston end is provided with a yoke.
Also disclosed is an actuator assembly that includes a housing, a
piston rod, and a lost motion device. The housing defines a housing
bore that extends from a first housing end towards a second housing
end. The housing defines a flared portion that extends from the
first housing end. The piston rod is at least partially slidably
disposed within the housing bore. The piston rod defines a piston
bore that extends from a first piston end towards a second piston
end. The lost motion device includes a slider having a head that is
disposed within the housing bore and a neck extending from the head
and extends into the piston bore.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the
neck defines an elongate opening that is arranged to receive a pin
that extends through the first piston end to movably connect the
slider to the piston rod.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the
head has a head diameter and the neck has a neck diameter that is
less than the head diameter.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the
head has a head diameter and the piston rod has a rod diameter that
is less than the head diameter.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the
head is provided with a first sealing projection and a second
sealing projection that engage the housing bore.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a
hydraulic sealing groove is defined between the first sealing
projection and the second sealing projection.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a
first spring seat is fixedly positioned within the piston bore and
a second spring seat is disposed within the piston bore and is
disposed proximate an end of the neck.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a
biasing member is disposed within the piston bore and extends
between the first spring seat and the second spring seat.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a
sealing member is disposed about the piston rod and is disposed
proximate the first housing end.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the
sealing member is provided with a flange that abuts a distal end of
the flared portion.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a
bearing member is disposed about the first piston end and engages
the housing bore.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any
way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are
numbered alike:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an actuator assembly;
FIG. 2 is a segmented schematic view of the actuator assembly
having a lost motion device and a sealing member; and
FIG. 3 is a view of the lost motion device of the actuator
assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed
apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification
and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Gas turbine engines may be disposed within a nacelle having a cowl
or an access door to enable ground maintenance personnel to service
the gas turbine engine. The cowl or access door may be movable
between an open position and a closed position by a hydraulically
operated door opening system. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the door
opening system includes an actuator assembly 10. The actuator
assembly 10 may be a linear actuator assembly that is displaceable
or extensible along an axis. The actuator assembly 10 includes a
housing 20, a piston rod 22, a sealing member 24, and a lost motion
device 26.
The housing 20 extends along a first axis 30 between a first
housing end 32 and a second housing end 34. The housing 20 defines
a housing bore 36 that extends from the first housing end 32
towards the second housing end 34. The housing 20 is configured as
a hollow member such that the first housing end 32 is configured as
an open end and the second housing end 34 is configured as a closed
end.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first housing end 32 includes a
flared portion 40. The flared portion 40 has a cross-sectional
diameter or cross-sectional form that is greater than a
cross-sectional diameter or cross-sectional form of the remainder
of the housing 20 that extends between the first housing end 32 and
the second housing end 34. A portion of the housing bore 36
proximate the flared portion 40 includes a stepped region 42. The
stepped region 42 extends between a proximal end 44 of the flared
portion 40 towards a distal end 46 of the flared portion 40. The
stepped region 42 includes a first stepped surface 48 and a second
stepped surface 50. The first stepped surface 48 extends from the
first housing end 32 towards the second stepped surface 50. The
second stepped surface 50 extends from the first stepped surface 48
towards the distal end 46 of the flared portion 40. In at least one
embodiment, a shoulder 52 extends between the first stepped surface
48 and the second stepped surface 50.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a stop member 54 is disposed within the
housing bore 36 and is disposed proximate the second housing end
34. The stop member 54 may be defined by the housing 20 and extend
into the housing bore 36 proximate the second housing end 34.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the housing 20 may include or define a
first mounting feature 56. The first mounting feature 56 may be
configured as an eye or yoke that may be attached to a component of
the gas turbine engine or may be attached to a ground service
cart.
The piston rod 22 is at least partially disposed within the housing
bore 36. The piston rod 22 extends along the first axis 30 between
a first piston end 60 and a second piston end 62. The piston rod 22
has a rod diameter or cross-sectional rod form.
The piston rod 22 is movably disposed within the housing 20 such
that while the actuator assembly 10 is in a first position
(retracted position or non-extended position) the first piston end
60 is disposed proximate the second housing end 34 and while the
actuator assembly 10 is in a second position (extended position or
non-retracted position) the first piston end 60 is spaced apart
from the second housing end 34 or is disposed closer to the first
housing end 32 as compared to the first position.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the piston rod 22 defines a piston bore
64 that extends from the first piston end 60 towards the second
piston end 62 along the first axis 30. The piston rod 22 is
configured as a hollow member such that the first piston end 60 is
configured as an open end and the second piston end 62 is
configured as a closed end.
The second piston end 62 may include or define a second mounting
feature 66. The second mounting feature 66 is integrally formed
with the piston rod 22. The second mounting feature 66 may be
configured as an eye or yoke that may be attached to a movable
component of the gas turbine engine such as a cowl, a door, an
access panel, or the like. The second piston end 62 having the
second mounting feature 66 may move relative to the first housing
end 32 to move the movable component of the gas turbine engine
between an open position and a closed position based on actuation
of the actuator assembly 10.
The sealing member 24 is disposed about the piston rod 22 proximate
the second piston end 62. The sealing member 24 is disposed within
and is engaged with the housing bore 36 proximate the first housing
end 32. More specifically, the sealing member 24 is disposed within
the stepped region 42 and engages the second stepped surface 50 of
the housing bore 36.
The sealing member 24 includes a sealing member body 70 and a
sealing member flange 72. The sealing member body 70 is at least
partially disposed within the stepped region 42 of the housing bore
36.
The sealing member body 70 includes a first protrusion 80, a second
protrusion 82, and a notch 84. The first protrusion 80 and the
second protrusion 82 are axially spaced apart from each other, with
respect to the first axis 30. The first protrusion 80 and the
second protrusion 82 radially extend from the sealing member body
70, with respect to the first axis 30, and engage the second
stepped surface 50 of the housing bore 36. The notch 84 is disposed
proximate an end of the sealing member body 70 and is arranged to
receive a seal that engages the piston rod 22.
The sealing member flange 72 extends from the sealing member body
70. The sealing member flanged 72 radially extends from the sealing
member body 70 and engages the distal end 46 of the flared portion
40 of the housing 20. The sealing member flange 72 is a
cross-sectional diameter or cross-sectional form that is greater
than a cross-sectional diameter or cross-sectional form of the
flared portion 40 of the housing 20.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the lost motion device 26 is at least
partially disposed within the housing bore 36 and extends into the
piston bore 64. The lost motion device 26 is disposed proximate the
second housing end 34 and the first piston end 60. The lost motion
device 26 is operatively connected to the piston rod 22 and is
arranged to move relative to the housing 20 along the first axis 30
between the first position and the second position with the piston
rod 22.
The lost motion device 26 includes a slider 90, a bearing member
92, a first spring seat 94, a second spring seat 96, and a biasing
member 98.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the slider 90 is movably or slidably
connected to the piston rod 22 proximate the first piston end 60.
The slider 90 includes a head 100 and a neck 102 that extends from
the head 100.
The head 100 is an enlarged head that is slidably engaged with the
housing bore 36 and is disposed proximate the second housing end 34
while the actuator assembly 10 is in the first position. The head
100 has a head diameter that is greater than the rod diameter, in
other words, the rod diameter is less than the head diameter.
The head 100 extends between a first head end 110 and a second head
end 112 along the first axis 30. The first head end 110 may engage
the stop member 54 while the actuator assembly 10 is in the first
position. The second head end 112 is spaced apart from the stop
member 54 and is disposed proximate the first piston end 60. The
head 100 defines a first bearing ring groove 114 that is disposed
proximate the first head end 110 and a second bearing groove 116
that is disposed proximate the second head end 112. Each of the
first bearing ring groove 114 and the second bearing ring groove
116 are arranged to receive a seal or a bearing ring.
The head 100 further includes or defines a first sealing projection
118 and the second sealing projection 120 that is axially spaced
apart from the first sealing projection 118. The first sealing
projection 118 and the second sealing projection 120 engage the
housing bore 36. A hydraulic sealing groove 122 is defined between
the first sealing projection 118 and the second sealing projection
120. The hydraulic sealing groove 122 is arranged to receive a
hydraulic seal 124 that engages the housing bore 36.
The neck 102 has a neck diameter that is less than the head
diameter. The neck 102 extends from the second head end 112 and
extends into the piston bore 64. The neck 102 extends between a
first neck end 130 and a second neck end 132 along the first axis
30. In at least one embodiment, the first neck end 130 is spaced
apart from and is not disposed within the piston bore 64.
The neck 102 defines at least one elongate opening 134 that is
disposed between the first neck end 130 and the second neck end
132. A pin 136 extends along a second axis 140 that is disposed
transverse to the first axis 30. The pin 136 extends through the
first piston end 60 of the piston rod 22 and through the at least
one elongate opening 134 to movably connect the slider 90 to the
piston rod 22. The combination of the at least one elongate opening
134 and the pin 136 enables the slider 90 to move relative to the
piston rod 22 at least until the pin 136 engages an end of the at
least one elongate opening 134.
The bearing member 92 is disposed about the piston rod 22 proximate
the first piston end 60. The bearing member 92 engages the housing
bore 36. The bearing member 92 is proximately aligned with the pin
136 along the second axis 140. In at least one embodiment, the pin
136 at least partially extends into the bearing member 92.
The first spring seat 94 is fixedly positioned or fixedly disposed
within the piston bore 64. The first spring seat 94 may be defined
by a retaining member that is secured within the piston bore
64.
The second spring seat 96 is movably positioned or movably disposed
within the piston bore 64 and is axially spaced apart from the
first spring seat 94. The second spring seat 96 may be defined by a
retaining member that is disposed within the piston bore. The
second spring seat 96 is disposed proximate and may abut the second
neck end 132. In at least one embodiment, the second spring seat 96
may be defined by the second neck end 132 of the neck 102 and may
not be a separately provided component.
The biasing member 98 is disposed within the piston bore 64 and
extends between and engages the first spring seat 94 and the second
spring seat 96. Biasing member 98 biases the slider 90 towards the
second housing end 34. The biasing member 98 is arranged or
positioned to compress or extend responsive to movement of the
slider 90 along the first axis 30 relative to the piston rod 22.
The biasing member 98 of lost motion device 26 absorbs, damps, or
dissipates vibrations or push and pull motion to protect the
dynamic hydraulic sealing provided by the various sealing features
of the actuator assembly 10 to prevent leaks or water
intrusion.
The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error
associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon
the equipment available at the time of filing the application.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a",
"an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when
used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or
groups thereof.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to
an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and
equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition,
many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
material to the teachings of the present disclosure without
departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is
intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present
disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of
the claims.
* * * * *